Five key reservoirs in England and Wales are currently at “exceptionally low” levels, according to Environment Agency data from 11 August. This situation comes as drought and extreme heat continue to put pressure on public water supplies, a trend expected to persist into the autumn.
Almost three-quarters of England and the entirety of Wales are now officially in drought. The five reservoirs identified as “exceptionally low” are Wimblewall in the South West (46% full), Clatworthy in Somerset (48%), Hanningfield in Essex (56%), Clywedog in Powys (56%), and the Dove group in Derbyshire (69%).
Overall reservoir levels across England have dropped to 66%, a decrease from 69% last week and nearly 14 percentage points below the expected level for this time of year. The National Hydrological Monitoring Programme reported that aridity in July was “unprecedented” and forecasts “widespread below-normal to exceptionally low” water flows to continue well into the autumn, with further deterioration possible.